Our
March 9 general meeting will feature a talk entitled “The Wild World of
Frogs,”
presented by Dr. Kerry Kriger, founder of SAVE THE FROGS!

How
long do frogs live? How many types of frogs are there? What’s the
difference
between a frog and a toad? Why are frogs disappearing worldwide and
what can be
done to save them? Dr. Kriger answers all these questions and more as
he
introduces the audience to The Wild World of Frogs. The presentation
features
many of Dr. Kriger’s photos of amphibians from around the world, and
there will
be a question and answer session following the presentation.

Dr.
Kriger began his career in Australia, studying chytrid fungus, which
causes a
devastating skin disease attacking at least 287 species of amphibians
around
the world. Over the last 40 years this fungus has lead to over 100
species
extinctions. That work naturally led him to found SAVE THE FROGS! in
2008 in
order to promote amphibian conservation globally (www.savethefrogs.com).

Locally,
Dr. Kriger and SAVE THE FROGS!, in cooperation with the Land Trust of
Santa
Cruz County, funded by Patagonia, have been working to restore the
California
Red-Legged Frog, (Rana Draytonii) habitat at Antonelli Pond. The next
work day,
to which all ages are invited, is Sunday, March 6, from 1-4pm.
Volunteers will
meet at the pond and help de-weed and plant native vegetation. (Go to savethefrogs.com/
actions/antonelli/~ for more
information,
including what to wear and what to bring.)

Nationally,
Dr. Kriger is organizing a rally on April 29, the 3rd Annual Save The
Frogs
Day, to sound the alarm about Atrazine, a common pesticide which causes
cancer
in laboratory animals, and, even at infinitesimal concentrations,
changes male
frogs into females.

A lot
has changed since Mark Twain wrote “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of
Calaveras
County.” Twain’s California Red-Legged Frog is now a Federally listed
Threatened Species. Winter has brought the sounds of rain and of the
California
RedLegged Frog to Bonny Doon. For audio clips of the various sounds of
this
frog, go to goo.gl/dpyZm.

Join
us in March to for a fascinating glimpse into the lives of frogs today
and
their frightening future.

Update
on Changes to Zoning Rules

As we
reported last time, the County Planning Department’s “Minor Exceptions
To
Certain Zoning Requirements “ (ME2CZR) ordinance revisions returned to
the
Board of Supervisors Jan. 25. After meetings with local environmental
and
community organizations, including the RBDA and Sierra Club, the
January draft
amendments included several improvements.

First of all, the
appeals process for variances granted as minor exceptions by Planning
Staff has
been brought in line with that for other variances. Appeals can now
escalate
from the Zoning Administrator to the Planning Commission and thence to
the
Board of Supervisors, if necessary.

The issue of the
cost burden of appeals has now been clarified to rest squarely on the
project
applicant.

In the interests of
greater transparency, variances granted as minor exceptions will now be
posted
regularly on the Planning Department web site (sccoplanning.com),
similar to
the Zoning Administrator’s and Planning Commission’s agendas. We view
this as a
great advance. While initial project notifications are typically signed
near
the site and sent by mail to neighbors within 300 feet, now, when a
variance is
granted without a public hearing, the community at large will be
notified, so
that all those affected can learn of the decision. If an appeal is
made, then
the affected portion of the project will be halted until the appeal is
resolved.

Lastly, since
Planning expects that most of the requests for minor exceptions will be
in
densely built-up areas like Live Oak and Pleasure Point, and concerns
still
remain both for the public and for some supervisors about the relevance
of the
ordinance amendments for rural areas, the ordinance will first be
implemented
within the urban services boundary. After 24 months Planning will
return to the
Board of Supervisors with a report and proposal before the Board
considers
expanding it to the entire County.

This is not the end
of this phase of the regulatory reform; questions about California
Environmental Quality Act compliance and protection of riparian
corridors
persist. Therefore, the Board has sent the proposal to the Planning
Commission
for a further hearing, before it holds its own final hearing on the
proposal on
March 15.

We are hopeful that
Planning will be able to further rationalize the permit process to ease
the
burden on citizens, while continuing the new conversation with
environmental
and community organizations to ensure that our natural heritage is
respected
and preserved. One noteworthy indication of that direction is Planning
Director
Kathy Previsich’s new proposal to include an examination of
environmental
regulations in section 16 of County Code, and the development of a
guidance
document to better protect the environment by standardizing the
interpretation
of code by individual planners.

Western
Pine
Beetles
Threaten
Ponderosas

The Problem

The
2008 Martin Fire killed many of the mature ponderosa pines in its path.
Scorching weakened those that survived and left them vulnerable to
pests,
especially the western pine beetle. The beetles have killed scores of
ponderosas in Bonny Doon since then and the attack continues,
threatening to
eliminate two generations of their only local host, Bonny Doon’s unique
race of
ponderosa pines.

A
single couple of beetles initially attack a tree. During mating they
exude
powerful pheromones which quickly attract hundreds more couples. The
beetles
burrow under the bark to lay their eggs, starting about halfway up the
trunk
and working their way upward to where the tree finally thins to less
than 6
inches in diameter. Their larvae devour the water-carrying layer of
wood and
introduce blue stain fungus which further reduces water transport and
ultimately kills the tree.

In
response, ponderosas produce pitch tubes in order to flush the beetles.
If the
masses are cream colored, the tree was likely successful in pitching
out the
attacking beetles. If the pitch masses are reddish, however, the
beetles have
prevailed. Unfortunately, most ponderosas in Bonny Doon have been under
water
stress and have not produced enough pitch to defend themselves. Another
sign of
attack is woodpecker feeding that leaves smooth patches without bark.
Well
after the beetles have killed the tree, the tree’s foliage fades in
color,
progressing from green to yellow to brown.

In as
little as two months, thousands of tiny holes will indicate that the
larvae
have matured and moved on. In our climate, there can be multiple
generations
per year.

Recommendations

1. The
trees most likely to be attacked are those stressed by fire damage or
root disease.
Thinning to reduce competition for water may help. Stand sanitation, in
which
recently attacked and high-risk green trees are removed before the
dormant
beetles have a chance to emerge, attack, and further build their
population is
recommended. The next western pine beetle flight is predicted for April
and May,
but may be sooner at lower elevations.

2.
Felling green ponderosa pines may create brood material for another
pest, pine
engraver beetles, to build populations and attack surrounding, stressed
pines.
All green pines stems greater than 3 inches in diameter should
therefore be
treated by reducing to less than 4 foot lengths, removing branches,
then either
scattering in sunny locations or burning.

3.
While thinning and sanitizing, do so conservatively and please keep in
mind the
increased danger to the stand from wind. Avoid wounding remaining trees
to
reduce the threat to them from fungus. Minimize downed fuel build up to
avoid
intense fires and schedule your burns to minimize their intensity.

4.
Since theReserve and surrounding
properties are within two additional Zones of Infestation (Sudden Oak
Death and
Coastal Pitch Canker) care should be taken to minimize the risk of
introducing
or spreading those pests. Tools, equipment, vehicles, and shoes should
be clean
of mud, small woody debris, and/or pitch, and hand tools and shoes
should be
treated with Lysol prior to entering and leaving the forested area.
Lysol
minimizes the risk for spreading both pitch canker and sudden oak death.

5.
While there are pesticides which may be valuable in combating this
problem,
they should be used only after consulting with The Santa Cruz County
Agricultural Commissioner (agdept.com) and in accordance with laws and
regulations controlling their use.

On
Feb. 28, the Bonny Doon Fire Safe Council held a Neighborhood Meeting
to discuss
the problem and some possible assistance provided by the California
Forest
Improvement Program (CFIP). The salient points of that meeting will be
presented at our March meeting.

There
are 2 new members of the RBDA Board. At our January Annual Meeting
Jacob
Pollock was elected to the seat vacated by Ted Benhari, and Miriam
Beames, Tom
Hearn and Marty Demare were re-elected. Shortly afterward Miriam Beames
resigned her position and the Board appointed Salem Magarian to her
seat. He
will have to run for the remaining year at next year’s Annual Meeting.

Ted
served on the board for 14 of the last 16 years and, for many of us,
has come
to define dedicated community service. He has generously offered to
continue
helping with the publication of the Highlander, much to the relief of
Lad
Wallace, who has taken on the task of editing the newsletter.

Although
we all will miss Miriam’s involvement, we are pleased that Salem is
prepared to
take up the gauntlet. Tom and Marty will continue to provide the Board
with
much needed continuity and their deep knowledge of the issues our
community
must address.

The
Board selected its officers for 2011. Joe Christy continues as chair,
Pat
Morrison as vice chair. Tom Hearn as Treasurer and Marty Demare as
Corresponding Secretary. Lad is now Highlander Editor and Jacob Pollock
takes
Lad’s role as Membership Coordinator. Salem will serve as Recording
Secretary.

Search for Fugitive
Prompts Communication Concerns

On
Feb. 1 a 6-hour manhunt for fugitive Juan Mendoza Cruz ended early the
next
morning without an arrest, with the authorities believing Cruz had fled
the
Bonny Doon area. The search included a Sheriff’s Office helicopter, 25
deputies
and Santa Cruz police officers, and 2 search dogs.

Some
residents called authorities indicating that Cruz was well known to
them and
that he had done work for them, ranging from watching pets while owners
were
absent, to yard and handyman work.

Newspaper
reports indicated that reverse 911 calls were sent to neighbors at 2:50
p.m.
and 4:25 p.m. Monday to notify them of the search, and to ask them to
“shelter
in place,” meaning that they should minimize unnecessary car trips or
walks.
Some very close neighbors reported that they received no call and were
unaware
of the potentially dangerous situation.

There
is a certain amount of concern in the community regarding the manner
and
effectiveness of communication by the Sheriff’s office. In response to
queries
from our Board, Sheriff Phil Wowak has offered to attend our March
meeting to
“...answer all questions and take away any suggestions your association
might
have.” Please take this opportunity to provide Sheriff Wowak with the
benefit
of your comments.

In the
aftermath of the Martin Fire, our community was able to work with the
CDF
regarding communication with our residents. With the Lockheed fire the
next
year, we saw a substantially improved information flow which served
Bonny Doon
very well during that stressful time. We have good evidence that
voicing our
concerns and constructive suggestions to our local public safety
officials can
result in a better informed and prepared community.

New
LAFCO Water Policy May Affect UCSC Expansion

Despite
an attempt by City of Santa Cruz officials to weaken it, the Local
Agency
Formation Commission, (LAFCO) on Feb. 2 approved a new Water Policy
that could
have a significant effect on UCSC’s attempts to build on its Upper
Campus.

The LAFCO
commissioners unanimously ignored the City’s request to narrowly limit
the
policy so that applicants merely had to show “good planning,” in the
words of
City Water Director Bill Kocher, to provide necessary water, rather
than actual
“wet water.”

Instead, the
commissioners adopted language requiring that a proposed project’s
water supply
be “adequate, reliable, and sustainable.” Further, the new policy,
which will
guide all future LAFCO deliberations on whether to approve a project,
requires
that “the project will not adversely affect sustainable yields in
groundwater
basins, flows in rivers and streams, water quality in surface water
bodies and
groundwater basins, and endangered species.”

The new policy
raises the bar for UCSC’s application to extend City water service to
its Upper
Campus, which lies outside the City limits, in Bonny Doon. Without an
approved
desalination plant, and with state and national agencies demanding that
the
City restrict its diversion of stream sources to provide better
conditions for
aquatic life, the amount of water the City will have available is far
from
certain.

At the same Feb. 2
meeting, LAFCO Executive Director Pat McCormick told the commissioners
that
more staff work needs to be done on the UCSC application. As a result,
he told
them that a date for a public hearing on the application couldn’t yet
be set.

Meanwhile, in
mid-February, the Community Water Coalition’s attorney, Jonathan
Wittwer, filed
an appeal to a Superior Court dismissal of its suit. The appeal states
that the
LAFCO applications by the University, and an accompanying one by the
City to
extend its water service boundary, were not in compliance with State
LAFCO law.

A second suit,
brought by the citizens’ group Habitat and Watershed Caretakers (HAWC),
charges
that the Final Environmental Impact Report related to the applications
to LAFCO
violates the State’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). That suit is
headed for
a Superior Court hearing in April.

Introducing
New Board Member Salem Magarian

OMG!
Is Bonny Doon amazing, or what? Here we are in the sixth day of rain,
recharging our aquifers, supplying the forest and our gardens, and
keeping our
wells happy. But what is this snow? Beauty comes in many forms in our
wonderland. How lucky we are to live in this natural paradise.

That about sums up
my reasons to accept the offer to be on the RBDA Board and fill the
seat
recently vacated by Miriam Beames. I completely share the RBDA mission
to
preserve the natural and rural setting of our community. Although
preservation
of the natural environment and wise stewardship of any building and
development
is a core advocacy role for the RBDA Board, I am particularly
interested in
many new opportunities to enhance and interact with our natural
setting. Among
the upcoming issues are the future use of the CEMEX property, and the
vision
Coast Dairies has of a continuous natural open space corridor from
Bonny Doon
to Davenport and the north coast. There are many challenges in
negotiating
these processes that are far beyond the scope of the RBDA, but it is
clear that
the RBDA is the voice of our community in matters such as these.

I have lived in
Bonny Doon for 5 years, after 15 years in Santa Cruz. Laurie Patton
Magarian
and I got married on our property in Bonny Doon 2 years ago. I was born
and
raised in Florida and have been heading west since age 18, spending 20
years in
Utah getting hooked on nature and outside adventures while becoming a
father
and pediatrician. I have worked as a pediatrician at Dominican Hospital
since
1993 and currently direct the outpatient Dominican Pediatric Clinic.

I look forward to
hearing from you about how you would like the RBDA to advocate for
preserving
our natural setting and promote our health, mental and spiritual
well-being,
and caring involvement with nature.

—Salem Magarian

Coast Dairies Update

In the
last issue of The Highlander we wrote that the March meeting of the
Coastal
Commission here in Santa Cruz might include a decision that would end
years of
dispute over the transfer of ownership of the Coast Dairies properties.
The
Trust for Public Land, with the County of Santa Cruz on their side, has
long
disputed the need to obtain a Coastal Development Permit for the
transfer.

But in
a Feb. 8 letter, TPL reluctantly agreed to apply for a consolidated
permit that
would be processed and acted upon by the Coastal Commission, bypassing
the
usual County permit process. With concurrence from commission staff,
the County
Planning Director had placed the proposal on the Board of Supervisors’
February
agenda to obtain their approval, but the item was pulled from the
agenda. If
and when the proposal is returned to the Board of Supervisors and they
give their
approval, the Trust for Public Land can begin the permit process and
the public
will have its long awaited opportunity to influence the future uses of
the
property.

Cement Plant News

There
will be a Community Meeting regarding the future of the cement plant
site on
Tuesday, March 22 at 6:30 pm at Pacific Elementary School in Davenport.

The
meeting will be led by Supervisor Neal Coonerty and local inventor and
engineer, JoeBen Bevirt of Joby Energy,

RBDA Membership Drops

The
current paid-up membership for the organization has dropped
substantially since
the end of January, down from over 200 just prior to the close of last
year.
you may recall that we adopted a new membership policy 2 years ago
wherein
memberships expire at the end of January of each year. This move
greatly
simplified the task of tracking when memberships lapsed, and the
thought was
that it would also be easier to just remind everyone in the Jan./ Feb.
edition
of The Highlander to send in their donation. This also saves the
expense of mailing
reminders out to members who have let their membership lapse. So far,
this plan
has not worked very well, so we’re again requesting you send in your
donations
if you have not done so recently.

For
those of you who are not members: If you support the concept of keeping
Bonny
Doon rural and natural, and enjoy getting The Highlander and listening
to the
speakers and presentations we sponsor, now is the time to help support
this
community organization. Just to sustain the organization at the current
level, over
200 paid memberships are required, so we truly need your support.
Please see here
for
membership information and form.

Bonny Doon's voice in preserving our special quality of
life,
The Highlander is mailed free to Bonny Doon residents prior to
the
RBDA General Meetings, which are usually held on second Wednesdays
of
January, March, May, July, September and November.
We encourage you to participate.

Send mail correspondence to the Highlander Editor at the
above
address,
or by email, below.

If you live in or own property within this district,
roughly
from Empire
Grade to the ocean and from San Vicente Creek to the City of Santa Cruz
border, you are eligible to be an RBDA member.

Please support the
RBDA!
Dues payments count for a full year from date received.
Dues mostly go for printing and mailing The Highlander,
your voice for keeping Bonny Doon rural and natural.
Those who make additional contributions qualify as: